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Residents, parents and teachers urge delay to closure of Graham A. Barton Elementary School
Summary
At a Craven County Board of Education public hearing, parents, teachers and residents urged the board to delay or abandon plans to close Graham A. Barton Elementary School, citing outdated data, special‑education impacts, transportation and staffing concerns; the board made no decision and adjourned after hearing testimony.
Dozens of parents, teachers and residents told the Craven County Board of Education at a public hearing that closing Graham A. Barton Elementary School would harm students and the Havelock community and that the board should delay any action.
The board opened the hearing by saying it has not made a final decision and is gathering input; the chair cited state procedural authority for considering closures. Speakers repeatedly challenged the district’s reliance on a 2019 facilities study, warned that short notice would disrupt special‑education services and bus routines, and asked the board to prioritize staff placement or provide a full year’s notice before moving students.
Elton Fairless, a parent and spouse of a Graham A. Barton faculty…
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